| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----How to restore sterling silver flatware tarnished by exposure to chlorine bleach?
2006
My heirloom silver flatware is turned shabby gray when I added about 5 ml of chlorine bleach to about 1 L of a detergent-water mixture. It soaked there for about 15 minutes.
Someone suggested that I try using vinegar
⇦ in bulk on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil link] , but I'm afraid to do anything unless the advice comes from someone knowledgeable about the chemical processes involved.
The flatware was made around 1900 and has been handed down through my family. Can you help?
homemaker - Dallas, Texas
2006
That's what silver polish is for, Harriet. Unfortunately, it's probably also what patience is for, as it may take some time to get a deep discoloration out with silver polish. If you are confident that it is solid silver, the "aluminum foil and washing soda ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] " trick described in letter 4785 ought to work fine.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.